Surgical Errors

Providing skilled representation for the injured throughout West Tennessee

Every surgical procedure carries some degree of risk, but sometimes, patients suffer life-altering injuries or even die because of surgical errors. Preventable medical error has become the third leading cause of death in the United States behind heart disease and cancer with about 250,000 deaths each year from medical negligence. A major medical malpractice insurer reports that about 24% of the medical malpractice payouts in 2017 were for surgical errors. The total payout for medical negligence claims in Tennessee was $38,100,500, which is $5.73 per capita, and it reflects a decrease in payments of 17.88% from the year before.

At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, our Memphis and Jackson medical malpractice attorneys fight for our clients’ right to recover compensation after an injury caused by a negligent medical professional.

What are some examples of surgical errors?

Of all the medical mistakes, surgical errors tend to be the most dangerous. The following are some examples of surgical mistakes that have caused serious injury or death to patients:

Medical tools left inside the patient’s body during surgery

Wrong site, wrong side, wrong patient errors (WSPEs)

Anesthesia errors

Perforated organs

Infection

Residual nerve damage

Causes of surgical mistakes

Medical mistakes can occur during complex surgical procedures but also during more routine procedures. The following are some examples of factors that might contribute to medical errors:

Communication errors

Fatigue

Drug or alcohol impairment

Unsanitary conditions

Incompetence

Consequences for patients injured due to surgical negligence

Once a surgical mistake has been recognized, it is sometimes necessary to schedule another procedure to correct the previous mistake and to perform the correct one. These additional procedures expose the patient to additional risks. The patient may require physical therapy or other ongoing medical care. If the injury from the surgical error is permanent, the patient may be unable to return to work, care for themselves, and may require in-home professional medical care.

Is there a time limit for filing a medical malpractice claim for surgical errors?

In Tennessee, there is a one-year statute of limitations from the date of the injury for filing a medical malpractice claim. A plaintiff is also required to give medical providers 60 days’ notice prior to filing a lawsuit.

How can a medical malpractice attorney help your case?

Medical malpractice is one of the most complex areas of injury law because it requires the services of medical experts to investigate the patient’s claim and to testify in court. The plaintiff must be able to prove that the medical professional’s negligence was the direct cause of their injury. It is the medical expert’s job to show how any other medical professional would have performed the procedure given the same circumstances.

If the plaintiff is successful in proving the physician’s negligence, they may be able to recover compensation for their injuries and other losses. The plaintiff could recovery for the following:

Medical expenses

Lost pay

Emotional distress

Pain and suffering

Disability

Loss of consortium (for spouses)

Other losses

At Bailey & Greer, we seek justice on behalf of our clients who have suffered serious injuries at the hands of medical professionals due to their negligence. There is never a need to worry about how you will afford to hire a competent medical malpractice attorney because you do not pay us unless we recover compensation for you. The sooner you contact one of our Memphis medical malpractice lawyers, the sooner we can get started on your case.

The Tennessee lawyers at Bailey & Greer, PLLC, are here to provide you with the expertise you need if you or a loved one has sustained an injury at the hands of medical professionals. You are welcome to call our Memphis medical malpractice attorneys today to request a free initial consultation. You can reach us at 901-680-9777 or you can complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.